Bottle transfer mechanism



Dec- T6, 1969 w. E. sPERsHoTT ETAL 3,483,952

BOTTLE TRANSFER MECHANI SM Filed NOV. 27, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet l N w N n V91 W314i@ E HIL M a/ELM Us] W11 5%', l f l-s vfll C *n w Uil [IMI-IL In!!! hlx lh1 h Av [l HH lli. 4 il m Mmmm Mmmmm HI Dec. E16, W69 w. E. sPERsa-:OTT ETAL 3,433,962

BOTTLE TRANSFER TIIECHNISM Filed NOV. 27, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 um r- Mec. l, w69 w. E. SPERSHOTT ETAL BOTTLE TRANSFER MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 27, 1967 Eil l "im Dec. 56, w69 w. E. sPERsHoT-r ETAL 3,483,962

BOTTLE TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed Nov. 27, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent O 3,483,962 BOTTLE TRANSFER MECHANISM Walter E. Spershott, Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, and .Ioseph S. Foster, David Thom, and Dickinson Gosling, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, assignors to .lohn Labatt Limited, London, Ontario, Canada, a company of Canada Filed Nov. 27, 1967, Ser. No. 685,769 Int. Cl. B65g 47/57 ILS. CI. 198-24 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE AINVENTION Field of the invention The invention relates to a bottle transfer mechanism.

Description of the prior art In bottling plants, dirty bottles are dumped onto a conveyor table and then are arranged in rows for transfer to other equipment, such as a washing machine, sterilizing machine or the like. The rows of bottls must be marshalled and suitably spaced in preparation for transfer, and it is most important that the bottles are maintained in a closely controlled and accurately spaced relationship with one another. Various devices are known for this purpose but all of these tend to be rather complicated and expensive, making them unavailable for smaller bottling plants.

Among such known devices there can be mentioned those described in Webster, Canadian Patent No, 674,961, issued Nov. 26, 1963 and Meyer et al., Canadian Patent No. 767,189, issued Apr. 6, 1965.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates to a bottle-transfer mechanism on a substantially horizontal conveyor adapted to forwardly advance longitudinal rows of bottles in mouth-tobottom relationship. The mechanism includes holding arms positioned above the forward end of the conveyor, which arms are adapted to hold the longitudinal rows of bottles also in lateral rows. These holding arms are pivotally mounted on an axis transverse to the direction of movement of the conveyor, and each holding arm is provided with a downwardly projecting hook on the forward side of the pivot and an abutment on the rearward side.

The mechanism also includes drive means adapted t swing the holding arms between a first position in which the hooks are lowered to hold a lateral row of bottles against forward movement and a second position in which the hooks are raised to permit the lateral row of bottles to pass beneath and the abutments are lowered to hold the next following lateral row of bottles against forward movement.

A series of transfer arms are positioned beneath the holding arms and these are adapted to transfer a lateral row of bottles from beneath the holding arms while the hooks are raised.

3,433,962 Patented Dec. 16, 1969 ICC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A marshalling table is provided consisting of a series of longitudinally extending support members for supporting rows of bottles, between which are positioned means for advancing the rows of bottles on the support members. The advancing means can conveniently be a series of reciprocating longitudinal members. The bottles are fed onto one end of this marshalling table and are transferred from the opposite end of the table into other equipment by means of a special transfer mechanism. An abutment is provided adjacent this transfer mechanism against which the rows of bottles are continuously pressed by the advancing means so that the longitudinal rows of bottles are also arranged laterally in rows.

The abutment mechanism of the invention consists of a series of longitudinally extending holding arms fixed on a common pivotable shaft, one arm being provided for each longitudinal row of bottles. The forward end of each arm has a downwardly extending hook adapted to hold a bottle from forward movement by engaging the shoulder thereof, while the rearward end of the arm has an abutment adapted to engage the shoulder of the next following bottle. Each arm is positioned such that when the forward end is tilted up so that the hook does not engage the shoulder of a bottle, the rearward end is tilted down and engages the shoulder of the next following bottle. lIn this position the bottle under the arm is free to be transferred off the table while the longitudinal row of bottles behind is prevented from forward movement by the abutment.

The holding arms are operatively connected to a series of kicker arms which are adapted to transfer a lateral row of free bottles from beneath the holding arms into a subsequent machine, e.g. into pockets of a belt for carrying them through a washing machine. The holding arms and kicker arms are connected in such a manner that at the instant that the lateral row of free bottles is transferred from the table by the kicker arms, the holding arms pivot -so that the rearward abutments lift, permitting the bottles to move forward and the hooks lower into a position to engage the shoulders of the next lateral row of forwardly moving bottles. This sequence is followed for each lateral row of bottles.

The kicker arms consist of a series of articulated arms which are connected to a common drive shaft and extend upwardly from beneath the holding arms, Each kicker arm includes at the upper end thereof a pivotally mounted finger which is operatively connected to the corresponding holding arm. The kicker arms are adapted to engage a lateral row of free bottles and transfer them from the table. The fingers on the upper ends of the kicker arms contact the bottoms of the lateral row of free bottles and as the arms swing forward, transferring the bottles, the lingers also pivot forwardly and downwardly. When the row of free bottles has been transferred, the kicker arms immediately swing back to engage the bottoms 0f the next following lateral row of bottles. During this return swing, the lingers are pivoted downwardly suiciently far that they pass under the lateral row of bottles which have moved into the transfer position.

The invention will now be illustrated by reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the marshalling table;

-FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the marshalling table;

FIGURE 3 is a section through line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective View showing the transfer mechanism in position beside a bottle soaker machine;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation showing details of the mechanism which actuates the holding arms;

FIGURE 6 is the sarne view as FIGURE 5 with the mechanism in a different position;

FIGURE 7 is the detail of a kicker-arm mechanism for transferring lateral rows of bottles from the marshalling table into a subsequent machine, and

FIGURE 8 shows a second position of mechanism of FIGURE 7.

As shown in FIGURES 1-4, the marshalling table consists of a bottle unloading table 1 having a belt conveyor 2 which is divided into longitudinal sections by means of the dividers 3. Bottles are dumped onto this table 1 and are arranged on their sides in rows lbetween the dividers 3. This conveyor then carries the bottles onto the main portion of the marshalling table which consists of inverted V-shaped members 4 which support the rows of bottles and trough-like moving or walking beams 5 which are positioned between the support members 4. These support members 4 are fixed to a beam 6 while the walking beams 5 are mounted on a member 7 which rests on eccentric rollers 8. These eccentric rollers are mounted on shafts 9 which shafts pivot on brackets 10, mounted on a suport member 11. Channel members 12 provides sides for the top of the marshalling table.

The conveyor belt 2 runs on the rollers 18 and is driven by a motor located in the area 19, which motor also provides the power for reciprocating the walking beams backward and forward. It will be seen from FIGURE 2 that the marshalling tabIe is supported up off the oor 20 at convenient working level by means of the support members 21.

A warning device 13 is provided part way along the marshalling table and its function is to detect any bottle which is incorrectly turned. When an incorrectly positioned bottle is detected, the mechanism 13 activates a signal for an attendant. The guide members 14 and 15 are provided to stop bottles from lifting up when the holding arms 17 prevent the bottles from moving forward and pipe 16 is provided for spraying water onto the bottles.

The holding mechanism is provided to stop the forward advancement of the bottles on the marshalling table and consists of a series of holding arms 17 which are fixed on the rotatable shaft 23. These holding arms 17 are also rigidly connected to one another iby means of the laterally extending rod 27. The rotatable shaft 23 is mounted in brackets 24 and is driven by means of a device described hereinafter.

The main power source for the transfer mechanism is shown in FIGURE 2 and consists of an air cylinder 28 which drives a main drive shaft 26 by means of the crank arm 27. The air cylinder is controlled by a microswitch which is actuated by the pockets of the bottle washer, thus timing the operation of the air cylinder with the position of the pockets 90.

FIGURES 5 and 6 show two positions of a mechanism for operating the holding arms. As shown in FIGURE 5, an arm 41 is xed on rotatable shaft 23 which supports the holding arms. One end of arm 41 swings up and down between rubber abutments 43 and 44 and the arm 41 is moved by means of roller 46 which runs on the cam surface 45 `of arm 41. The roller 46 is on one end of arm 47 which is pivotally connected to the frame member 61 by the bolt 48. The upper end of arm 47 can swing between rubber abutments 49 and 50` fixed on frame members 63.

Another arm 51, having a projecting rib 54, is pivotally positioned on drive shaft 26, which is mounted in bracket 59 on frame member 60, and a U-shaped member 53 has jaws 57 and 58 which engage rib 54 and swing arm 51 about its pivot point. The free end of arm 51 has a spring 55 attached thereto by pin 56 and the spring is connected to arm 47 by pin 52.

In order for the mechanism to change from the position shown in FIGURE 5 to the position of FIGURE 6,

the drive shaft 26 is rotated in a clockwise direction by means of the air cylinder shown in FIGURE 2. The rotation of the drive shaft swings U-shaped member `53 clockwise so that jaw 58 contacts rib 54 and swings arm 51 in a clockwise direction. This movement of arm 51 places a pull on spring 55 which then pulls arm 47, causing it to pivot about bolt 48. As arm 47 pivots, the roller 46 moves along cam surface 45 causing arms 41 to swing down to contact abutment 44.

In the position of FIGURE 5 the holding arrn is tilted down at the forward end so that it engages the shoulder of a bottle underneath it, while in the position of FIG- URE 6 the forward end of the holding arm is tilted up so that the rearward abutment engages the shoulder of the next following bottle.

FIGURE 7 shows a holding arm 17 in operating position and also a kicker-arm mechanism for projecting a bottle from beneath the holding arm into a bottle pocket of a subsequent machine. A holding arm and kicker-arm is provided for each row of bottles.

The holding arm 17 is shown mounted on shaft 23 and is provided with a forward hook 21 which is adapted to engage the shoulder of bottle 84. The rearward end of arm 17 has an abutment 32 which engages the shoulder of the next following bottle 83 as shown. In the position as illustrated in FIGURE 7 the bottle 84 is in u. free position ready to be projected into a bottle pocket.

The mechanism for projecting the bottle 84 into the bottle pocket consists of an articulated kicker-arm. This kicker-arm consists of an arm having a member 71 pivotally connected to its upper end by means of pivot pin 72. The member 71 has a finger 73 which engages the bottom of bottle 84 and a projection 74 which is pivotally connected to actuating rod 75 by means of pivot pin 76.

The lower end of arm 70 is fixed to drive shaft 26. Also fixed to drive shaft 26 is crank arm 78 which supports shaft 26A. A pair of arms 77 and 79 are fixed to a common bearing and are free to rotate together on shaft 26A. Arm 77 actuates rod 75 and finger 73 while arm 79 is actuated by means of rod 80 which is connected to holding arm 17 via crank arm 81.

In operation, the air cylinder is -actuated by means or' the microswitch, causing drive shaft 26 to suddenly pivot through a small arc in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 7. This sudden movement of drive shaft 26 in a counterclockwise direction causes arm 70 to suddenly swing forward so that finger 73 contacts the bottom of bottle 84 and throws it into a pocket in the subsequent machine. Simultaneously, the holding arm 17 swings about pivot 23 so that abutment 31 is lowered to a position to engage the shoulder of bottle 83 which moves into the position held by bottle 84. This swing of holding arm 17 pulls rods 80 in an upward direction and this also causes rod 75 to move upward, which in turn causes finger 73 to pivot in -a counterclockwise direction. T-he result is that as arm 70 moves forward, throwing bottle 84 forward, the finger 73 pivots to assume the position shown in FIGURE 8 with linger 73 swinging forward and downward. With the finger in the position shown in FIGURE 8, the bottle 83 is free to move into the position previously held by bottle 84 without engaging finger 73.

The direction of movement of the cylinder is then reversed, causing the drive shaft 26 to turn in a clockwise direction. This movement causes the mechanism to return from the position shown in FIGURE 8 to the position shown in FIGURE 7. During the return movement, the rod is moved downwardly and this causes rod 75 to also move downwardly, thus causing finger 73 to pivot in a clockwise direction. These movements are synchronized such that the finger 73 is still tilted sufficiently forward to pass under the bottle in the position 84 during the return movement.

From the above description it will be seen that the invention provides effective means for the rapid transfer of bottles, marshalled in rows, to pockets in a. chain, or like equipment, for further handling, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited solely to the details of the form described above, which may be modified in order to meet various conditions and requirements encountered, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. Bottle-transfer mechanism comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor adapted to forwardly advance longitudinal rows of bottles in mouth-to-bottom relation; holding arms positioned above the forward end of said conveyor and adapted to hold the longitudinal rows of bottles also in lateral rows, said holding arms beingA pivotally mounted on an axis transverse to the direction of movement of the conveyor, each holding arm having a downwardly projecting hook on the forward side of the pivot and an abutment or the rearward side; drive means adapted to swing said holding arms between a rst position in which the hooks are lowered to hold a lateral row of bottles against forward movement and a second position in which the hooks are raised to permit the lateral row of bottles to pass beneath and the abutments are lowered to hold the next following lateral row of bottles against forward movement; and a series of transfer arms positioned beneath the holding arms, said transfer arms being adapted to transfer a lateral row of bottles from beneath the holding arms while the hooks are raised.

2. Bottle-transfer mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the transfer arms are a series of upwardly extending arms being xed at their lower ends to a drive shaft and having at their upper ends pivotally mounted fingers adapted to engage the lateral row of bottles beneath the holding arms and transfer them off the conveyor.

3. Bottle-transfer mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the fingers of the transfer arms are operatively connected to the holding arms.

4. Bottle-transfer mechanism according to claim 1 wherein both the holding arms and transfer are actuated by means of a laterally extending drive shaft, which is reciproeally driven through an arc by means of a piston.

5. Bottle-transfer mechanism according to claim 4 wherein the holding arms are actuated by the drive shaft via a cam and follower arrangement.

6. Bottle-transfer mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the conveyor consists of a series of longitudinal inverted V-shaped members adapted to support longitudinal rows of bottles and longitudinal moving members positioned between said support members, said moving members being connected to an eccentric drive device adapted to create a backward and forward reciprocation 'together with an upward and downward reciprocation such as to lift the bottles olf their supports in their forward motion and move the bottles forward.

7. Bottle-transfer mechanism according to claim 6 which includes an endless belt conveyor adapted to receive bottles and advance them onto the V-shaped members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,446,591 2/1923 Small 198-26 X EDWARD A. SROKA, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R 134--134 

